Author
Topic: numbness in foot (Read 2065 times)

judbow

I was diagnosed with Sjogren's about 3 months ago, and put on Prednisone and plaquinel....These meds have helped some of my symptoms, but I still have numbness in my right leg and foot...Will it ever go away?? Anyone have this problem??? Very hard with driving and on stairs...I work in a two story school, so it is hard to avoid stairs..

You are very early on in your course of Plaquenil. You don't really get the full benefits of of Plaquenil till after a period of 6-12 months. I have both numbness and also swelling in my feet, usually my ankles are not affected. The numbness seems to have gotten worse as my swelling problems worsened. You could maybe have some mild swelling going on in your feet that you haven't noticed? I find it helps to keep them elevated.

Before I was diagnosed, I had some numbness on my knee cap after surgery and it took about 5-6 years before it was back to normal. You have to be patient because neurological injuries heal slowly.

Sounds like your docs are treating you aggressively to interrupt the progression of the disease. Stick with your treatment! Have you considered using a cane for the steps?

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LizPetillo

I have numbness in my feet and legs. It has gotten somewhat better since Ive been on plaquinel for 9 months. The neurologist told me that it CAN get better. But of course it can also progress and get worse. This is a progressive disease .... progressive = get worse.

It's my thought (fuzzy math with symptoms) that if you figure the two together ... progressive disease minus the 'can get better', then somehow that might equal each other out and I'll get STABLE.

Have you been thoroughly evaluated for this numbness? What do they think it is? One-sided numbness in a limb can have different causes than bilateral numbness. Was the onset sudden?

Plaquenil is not an effective treatment for neuropathy. Prednisone may only help IF the neuropathy is caused by inflammation, which is not as likely on one limb. Seems more like something might be compressed (nerve) or a vascular issue.

LeoLady

Hello. When I developed numbness/tingling in my feet and legs my rheumy started me on Lyrica, which I couldn't tolerate due to dizziness. Then she switched me to Gabapentin. Both drugs are supposed to slow the progress of peripheral neuropathy.

First, find out what is causing your issues, then you can pursue a treatment.

Best of luck and feel better!

Hugs,

LeoLady (Melinda)

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Rachel F.

Hi Judbow-That numbness can be so aggravating. Wish I could give you an answer. I had partial numbness in my foot this year which has gotten better but it is not exactly the same as it once was. I have no dx tho. It sounds like you are doing well considering!

I take B12 shots every third day and after a month the numbness went away.

My B12 levels were "fine" but all of my doctors (neuro, endo, rhuemy, integrative) agree that you cannnot measure how your body uses the B12 in your cells and nerves by a blood test. My husband gives me the shots in the behind and doesn't hurt at all. My insurance covers the shots too. If you don't want to go that route, try a high dose sublingual or chewable B12 and see if that helps. If you do try the shots, you need a prescription because you want the methyl B12.

You can't overdose B12, it's water soluable and you will just urinate what your body doesn't use. My doctors have also said that the U.S. "normal" levels of B12 are way too low at 200-900 being "normal". You can have nerve damage at 200 and in many other countries would be put on shots immediately if your levels are below 500. My levels are at 2,000 which is great and not even worth testing anymore because I will continue my shots.

B12 also helps with anxiety, I've noticed a huge difference there Carie

judbow

The numbness is continuing in my right foot, and some swelling now, too. The doctor has gotten me down to 2 prednisone a day, instead of 8...But I am not feeling as good as I was. Very tired all the time, and very sore tongue. Some days are better than others. The doctor has me off work for awhile, and has given me a sleeping pill called zopiclone. This pill has really helped with my sleepless nights. I just could not continue to work, when I wasn't sleeping at night. So, I am glad that has gotten better. I just hate taking so many drugs....Still on 2 plaquinal a day. I am also on new meds for urge incontinance....So many drugs, and they are carry side effects....I hate it.

I am worried about depression setting in, now I am off work, as I love my job working with special needs kids, and I miss the kids and the teachers so much. I am prone to depression and have been on Paxil for years.

But I just got a new puppy last week, a shitzu/cockapoo cross, and she is the love of my life....She is so good, and her and I sleep a lot through the day..She is truely a gift from God and has brought me so much joy the past week.

Sorry if I am babbling, but I just love this forum so much, and have gained much more insight into this disease... Thanks to all.....Judbow xxxxooo

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Rachel F.

Hi-I understand your worry! It is hard to stay away from gloom sometimes. For the sore tongue, I tried using Biotene dry mouth spray and it helped me a bunch. It seems to help keep the Ph balanced. Others are prone to thrush so make sure you check on that too and be sure that isn't developing....Keep us posted...Rachel F.